Puntuaciones Juan Gil Bodegas Familiares en International Wine Cellar 2014 BODEGAS EL NIDO Clio 2011-92 points (70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon; aged for two years in a combination of French and American oak): Bright purple. Smoke-accented cherry, cassis and blueberry on the nose, with hints of mocha and vanilla adding sex appeal. Sappy and broad but with surprising elegance to the sweet dark berry flavors. Finishes on a sweet blackcurrant note, with excellent focus, gentle tannins and a hint of white pepper. Corteo 2011 93 points Inky purple. Pungent dark fruit preserve and licorice aromas are complemented by violet and mocha. Round, powerful and supple in texture, offering juicy blueberry and cassis flavors that are firmed and lifted by tangy acidity and a hint of black pepper. Shows excellent breadth, power and persistence on the spice-tinged finish, which is framed by supple, harmonious tannins. El Nido 2011-94 points (70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell; aged for two years in new French and American oak): Glass-staining purple. Explosive scents of black and blue fruit liqueur, smoky Indian spices, vanilla and minerals, with a sexy floral pastille quality in the background. Fleshy and velvety on the palate, showing excellent clarity and spicy cut to its cassis and boysenberry flavors. The blue fruit quality repeats emphatically on the very long, sweet finish, which is given shape by smooth, polished tannins. BODEGAS JUAN GIL Albacea 2013 89 points (aged in French and American oak barrels for four months): Inky ruby. Spicy dark berry aromas are complicated by cola and candied violet, with a note of cracked pepper gaining strength in the glass. Fleshy black and blue fruit flavors are energized by a zesty mineral quality that adds back-end lift. Finishes with appealing sweetness, a hint of dusty tannins and good length. Honoro Vera Organic 2013 89 points
(100% Monastrell; all stainless steel): Deep ruby. Blackberry, cherry and peppery herbs on the fragrant nose and palate. Sappy, spicy and energetic, thanks to zesty acidity. Finishes focused and tangy, with good persistence and a subtle floral nuance. A seriously good value, especially in the organic category. Juan Gil Dry Muscat 2013 89 points Light yellow. Fresh citrus, floral and ginger aromas, plus a hint of dusty minerality. Tactile and juicy, with lively white peach and citrus fruit flavors complicated by white pepper and honeysuckle nuances. Finishes taut and dry, with good length and lingering spiciness. Juan Gil Silver 2012-90 points (aged for a year in French oak): Bright purple. Powerful scents of dark fruit preserves, potpourri and candied licorice, with peppery spices in the background. Sweet and expansive on the palate, showing a juicy quality to its black and blue fruit, mineral and licorice flavors. Closes smooth and smoky, with silky tannins and a lingering mocha quality. Juan Gil 18 Months 2011 91 points (60% Monastrell, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah; aged for 18 months in new French and American oak): Inky purple. Deeply pitched aromas of black and blue fruits, mocha, licorice and coconut, with a peppery element adding vivacity. Smooth and expansive on the palate, offering sweet blackcurrant and candied licorice flavors and a suggestion of fruitcake. In a plush, seamless style, finishing with strong punch and supple tannins. BODEGAS ATALAYA Laya 2013-88 points (70% Garnacha Tintorera, a.k.a. Alicante Bouschet, and 30% Monastrell; fermented in stainless steel, followed by four months in French oak): Bright purple. Cassis, blueberry, pungent herbs and mocha on the nose. Smooth and open-knit on the palate,
displaying fresh cherry and dark berry qualities and a hint of black pepper. Finishes with gripping tannins and good length, leaving a subtle floral note behind. La Atalaya 2012 90 points (85% Garnacha Tintorera and 15% Monastrell; aged for a year in French oak): Dark purple. Assertive aromas of oak-spiced blackberry, dark chocolate and pungent flowers. Plush, round and sweet, with a spicy nuance adding complexity to cherryvanilla and dark berry compote flavors. This broad, seamless wine finishes with sneaky tannins, a touch of vanilla and very good persistence. Alaya 2012-92 points (all Garnacha Tintorera, aged in new French and American oak for 15 months): Inky purple. Heady, spice-accented black and blue fruits on the nose and in the mouth, with a sexy floral pastille nuance coming up with aeration. Sweet and velvety in texture, with a bright jolt of minerality adding back-end lift and focus. Plays richness off of vivacity smoothly and finishes long and sweet, with just a hint of dusty tannins that fold quickly into the wine's dense fruit. BODEGAS ATECA Honoro Vera Blanco 2013 88 points Light yellow. Brisk, tightly focused aromas of grapefruit, lemon pith, white pepper and ginger. Bone-dry and nervy on the palate, offering tangy flavors of citrus fruits and quinine, plus a hint of tarragon. Closes tight and dry, with good focus and echoing bitterness. Honoro Vera Garnacha 2013 88 points (aged for two months in older French oak): Vivid purple. Ripe cassis, blackberry, mocha and black pepper scents convey power and clarity. Deep dark fruit flavors expand with air, picking up notes of allspice and candied flowers. Fleshy and seamless in texture, finishing with good punch and a touch of lingering warmth.
Atteca 2012 90 points (all Garnacha aged in used French oak for ten months): Dark purple. Cassis and cherry compote on the nose, with complicating wood-smoke and dark chocolate qualities. Then brighter and livelier on the palate, offering dark berry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of anise. Plays richness off of vivacity smoothly and finishes juicy and long, with dusty tannins adding shape. Atteca Armas 2011 91 points (100% Garnacha, mostly from vines that were reportedly planted in 1910): Opaque ruby. Smoky, expansive aromas of candied cherry, cassis, licorice pastille and pipe tobacco, with a sexy vanilla undertone. Appealingly sweet and concentrated, offering pliant black and blue fruit flavors along with building smokiness and minerality. Finishes on a bitter chocolate note, with slow-building tannins, excellent persistence and a lingering blueberry quality. BODEGAS TRIDENTE Tridente EntreSuelos 2012 89 points (aged for six months in French oak): Inky ruby. Smoky cherry and dark berry aromas are complicated by notes of roasted coffee and mocha. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering sweet black and blue fruit flavors that show a hint of warmth. Closes smooth and broad, with repeating smokiness, a hint of bitter chocolate and gentle tannins. Tridente Tempranillo 2012-90(+) points (aged for 15 months in French oak): Bright purple. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes ripe blueberry, cherry compote, licorice and vanilla. On the palate, plush, round black and blue fruit flavors are given spine and lift by juicy acidity. Dusty tannins build slowly on the finish, which clings with very good sweet tenacity and grip. This wine benefits quite a bit from air. Tridente Prieto Picudo 2012 91 points (aged for 15 months in French oak): Inky purple. Highly perfumed, incisive aromas of candied red and dark berries, vanilla, potpourri and spice cake. Sweet, seamless and
broad, offering juicy black raspberry and boysenberry flavors that put on weight as the wine opens up. Closes sweet and spicy, with fine-grained tannins sneaking in late and adding shape and grip. These vines are reportedly over 80 years old. BODEGAS SHAYA Shaya Arindo 2013 89 points Pale yellow. Perfumed, mineral-accented scents of pear, citrus fruits, anise and smoky minerals. Dry and taut on entry, then fleshier in the middle, offering lively pear and Meyer lemon flavors and a deeper suggestion of honeydew melon. Closes with good energy and cut, leaving a refreshingly bitter lemon pith note behind. Shaya 2013-90 points (80% raised in stainless steel tanks and the rest in 500- and 600-liter French oak barrels): Bright straw. Lemon zest, green apple and honeysuckle on the fragrant nose. Juicy citrus and orchard fruit flavors show very good clarity, with a dusty mineral element contributing cut. Dry, focused white wine with clean finishing bite and lingering minerality. CELLERS CAN BLAU Blau 2013-90 points (50% Carinena, 25% Syrah and 25% Garnacha; aged in French oak for four months): Bright violet color. Intensely perfumed, spicy aromas of red berries and cherry, with a deeper cola nuance in the background. Gently sweet and focused, offering taut raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that put on weight with air. Finishes taut and long, with resonating spiciness and gentle slow-building tannins. Can Blau 2012 91 points (40% Carinena, 40% Syrah and 20% Garnacha; aged in French oak for a year): Dark purple. Ripe black and blue fruits on the nose and in the mouth, with suave Asian spice and violet pastille notes adding complexity. Chewy and focused, with zesty acidity adding lift and spine and a hint of white pepper lending bite. A note of bitter chocolate comes up on the clinging finish, with fine-grained tannins sneaking in late.
Mas de Can Blau 2011-92 points (35% Carinena, 35% Syrah and 30% Garnacha; aged in French oak for 18 months): Lurid purple. A seductively perfumed bouquet evokes smoky blackberry, boysenberry and vanilla, with a potent floral quality building with air. Sappy dark berry and candied cherry flavors show liqueur-like power, staining the palate while showing surprising vivacity. Notes of violet pastille and dark berries cling on the persistent finish, which features supple tannins and a hint of licorice. LAGAR DA CONDESA Lagar da Condesa 2013-90 points (mostly fermented in stainless steel tanks, with a small percentage raised in large French oak casks): Light, bright yellow. A perfumed bouquet evokes fresh tangerine, white flowers, ginger and pear skin. Vibrant and precise on the palate, offering tangy citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a suave mineral character. Finishes with very good clarity and mineral lift, the floral and ginger qualities repeating. OROWINES Comoloco 2013 88 points (all Monastrell done in stainless steel): Bright purple. Powerful aromas of blackberry, blueberry, licorice and pungent herbs. Juicy, firm and focused, with a faintly herbaceous touch to its bitter cherry, dark berry and anise flavors. Finishes with gentle tannic grip and good length, leaving a note of cracked pepper behind. Kentia 2013 89 points Pale gold. Spicy pear and lemon on the nose, with candied ginger and chalky mineral qualities carrying onto the palate. Pliant lemon curd and pear flavors are enlivened by dusty minerality and a hint of bitter quinine. The clean, tangy finish shows good clarity and a subtle touch of tarragon